Department of Neurology, Institute for Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2012 Oct;12(5):601-9. doi: 10.1007/s11910-012-0292-5.
Although the definition of benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) remains controversial, it is generally applied to a subgroup of MS patients showing little disease progression, with minimal disability decades after disease onset, and is based mainly on changes in motor function. Recent studies, however, reveal that deterioration of cognitive function, fatigue, pain, and depression also occur in BMS patients, causing negative impact on work and social activities, despite complete preservation of motor function. Using conventional MRI techniques, lesion load observed in BMS is similar to levels in other disease subtypes; however, newer quantitative MRI techniques show less tissue damage, as well as greater repair and compensatory efficiency following MS injury. Currently accepted criteria for BMS diagnosis may cause overestimation of true prevalence, underscoring the need for routine monitoring of nonmotor symptoms and imaging studies. Clearly, the definition of BMS currently applied in clinical practice requires reassessment.
虽然良性多发性硬化症 (BMS) 的定义仍存在争议，但它通常适用于一组 MS 患者，这些患者的疾病进展缓慢，在发病几十年后仅有轻微的残疾，主要基于运动功能的变化。然而，最近的研究表明，认知功能下降、疲劳、疼痛和抑郁也会发生在 BMS 患者中，尽管运动功能完全保留，但仍会对工作和社会活动产生负面影响。使用常规 MRI 技术，BMS 中观察到的病灶负荷与其他疾病亚型的水平相似；然而，新的定量 MRI 技术显示出较少的组织损伤，以及在 MS 损伤后具有更高的修复和代偿效率。目前用于 BMS 诊断的标准可能会高估真正的患病率，因此需要对非运动症状和影像学研究进行常规监测。显然，目前在临床实践中应用的 BMS 定义需要重新评估。
